Police did not enforce the speed limit on a road where a 20-year-old motorcyclist died despite knowing that drivers regularly exceeded it.

A traffic survey carried out by Herts police in September 2013 on Royston Road, Baldock, showed that the 85 percentile – the fastest speed within which 85 per cent of drivers travelled was 52mph on the 40mph road.

Stotfold resident Jack Alexander died on the road on July 17 after his motorbike collided with a van.

The survey also revealed that the road lacked the necessary number of signs, without which police could not enforce the speed limit.

These were installed by Herts County Council in December 2013 but a spokesman for the force said there had been no enforcement because other locations had a higher priority.

Resident Jonathan Burge, who has been raising the issue with authorities for months and has yet to have a reply from police, said: “I am absolutely disgusted at the lack of action.

“It’s so bad I’ve decided to move to Stotfold, but unless something is done to try and control speeding drivers there are bound to be more accidents.”

Chief inspector for Herts police Donna Pierce said: “We are aware of the concerns raised by residents in Royston Road, Baldock, in relation to speed enforcement at this location. We fully appreciate how emotive this subject is, particularly in light of the tragic death of a man at the location recently, and I would like to reassure you that we are continuing to work with Herts County Council to look at the safety of this location.

“I will be looking into the perceived lack of response to Mr Burge and will be contacting all parties once the circumstances of what has happened are established.”